Life and Martyrdom of John Hooper (2)

When Mary (a Catholic) ascended the throne, Hooper was one of the first who was summoned to London. His friends, warning him of his danger, entreated him to leave the country, but he refused, saying, “Once did I flee, and take me to my feet, but now, because I am called to this place and vocation, I am thoroughly persuaded to remain, and to live and die with my sheep.” He was ordered to appear before Dr. Heath, who had been deprived of his bishopric in King Edward’s time, on account of being a Papist, and before Dr. Bonner, Bishop of London, because he had in the previous reign been one of his accusers. On arriving at London, before he saw Bonner and Heath, he was intercepted and commanded to appear before the queen and her council. On coming before them, Bishop Gardiner (Bishop of Winchester) received him very opprobriously, railing at him, and accusing him of his religion. He answered boldly and freely, but was, notwithstanding, committed to ward, being told that he was imprisoned not for his religion but for certain sums of money which he owed the queen. In March following, he was again called before Gardiner and was deprived of both his bishoprics, not being permitted to plead his own cause.

An account of the severe treatment of Bishop Hooper, during nearly eighteen months confinement in the Fleet, written by himself

“The 1st of September 1553, I was committed unto the Fleet. I paid five pounds sterling to the warden for fees for my liberty; who, immediately upon payment thereof complained unto the Bishop of Winchester, upon which I was committed to closed prison a quarter of a year in the tower chamber of the Fleet, and used extremely harshly. Then, by means of a good gentlewoman, I had liberty to come down to dinner and supper, not suffered to speak with any of my friends, but as soon as dinner and supper were done able to repair to my chamber again. Notwithstanding, whilst I came down thus to dinner and supper, the warden and his wife picked quarrels with me and complained untruly of me to their great friend, the Bishop of Winchester

“After a quarter of a year the warden and his wife fell out with me respecting the wicked mass; thereupon he resorted to the Bishop of Winchester and obtained to put me into the wards, where I have continued a long time having nothing appointed to me for my bed but a little pad of straw and a rotten covering with a tick and a few feathers therein, the chamber being vile and stinking, until by God’s means, good people sent me bedding to lie on. On one side of the prison is the stink and filth of the house, and on the other the town ditch so that the stench of the house hath infected me with sundry diseases.

“During which time I have been sick, and the doors, bars, hasps, and chains being all closed upon me, I have mourned, called, and cried for help, but the warden, when he hath known me many times ready to die and when the poor men of the wards have called to help me, hath commanded the doors to be kept fast and charged that none of his men should come to me, saying, ‘Let him alone; it were a good riddance of him.’

“I paid always like a baron to the said warden fees as for my board which was twenty shillings a week; yet, hath he used me worse and more vilely than the any slave that ever came to the common side of the prison. The warden hath also imprisoned my man, William Downton, and stripped him out of his clothes to search for letters and could find none, but a little remembrance of good people who had given me their alms to relieve me in prison, but the warden delivered the same unto Gardiner.

“I have suffered imprisonment almost eighteen months; my goods, livings, friends, and comfort taken from me— the queen owing me, by just account, fourscore pounds or more. She hath put me in prison and giveth nothing to keep me; neither is there suffered any one to come to me, whereby I might have relief. I am with a wicked man and woman so that I see no remedy, saving God’s help, but I shall be cast away in prison before I come to judgment. I commit my just cause to God, whose will be done, whether it be by life or death.”

On the 28th of January, the Bishop of Winchester and the other commissioners sat in judgment at the church St. Mary Overie, when Mr. Hooper again appeared before them, and after much reasoning and disputation was commanded to wait until Mr. Rogers had been examined. When these examinations were over, the two sheriffs of London were ordered to take them to the Compter in Southwark and keep them there until nine the following day to see whether they would return to the Catholic Church. Bishop Hooper was led out first, Mr. Rogers following with the other sheriff. When going out of the church door, Hooper looked back, and seeing Mr. Rogers coming, he waited for him, and said, “Come, brother Rogers, must we two take this matter first in hand, and begin to fry these faggots?” “Yes, sir,” replied Rogers, “by God’s grace.” “Doubt not,” answered Hooper, “but God will give us strength.” They then passed out into the street which was crowded to excess with people who rejoiced at the constancy of these two noble men.

While walking by his side, the sheriff said to Hooper, “I wonder you were so hasty and quick with my lord chancellor, and did use no more patience.”

He answered, “Mr. Sheriff, I was not at all impatient, although I was earnest in my Master’s cause; and it standeth me so in hand, for it goeth upon life and death, not the life and death of this world only, but also of the world to come.”

They were given in charge to the keeper of the Compter, who received orders to put them in separate chambers and not allow them to converse with each other or with their friends. On the following day they were again brought before the Bishop of Winchester, who examined them for a long time but found them resolute in maintaining their opinions. Hooper was then degraded, and his condemnation was read to him. The sheriff afterwards led him away to the Clink, a prison near Gardiner’s house, where he was kept until night. At dark he was taken with a strong guard to Newgate; and so greatly were his persecutors afraid lest the populace should endeavor to rescue him by force, that sergeants were sent before to put out the lights of the costermongers who sat in the streets. Notwithstanding this precaution, many people, who suspected what was happening came out with lights to their doors and saluted him, praising God for his constancy and exhorting him to continue steadfast to the end.

Hooper asked them all to pray for him earnestly and was hastened on by the sheriff to Newgate where he was kept a close prisoner for six days, no one being allowed to see him but his keeper. Bonner, Bishop of London, came several times to see him to persuade him to recant, but his efforts were unavailing. He sent Feckenham, Chedsey, Harpsfield, and some others for the same purpose, but they also found him immovable. When they failed to convince him with their arguments, they affected great gentleness towards him, promising him their friendship and great worldly wealth if he would join their church. They then changed their promises into threats, but he continued steadfast.

(To be continued)

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